Is My Toddler Ready to Night Train?
(Let’s take the pressure off and look at what really matters.)
If your toddler is dry during the day, it’s natural to start wondering when you should ditch the nighttime diaper too. Some parents night train early. Others wait. Some toddlers wake up dry on their own. Others soak through pajamas well past their fourth birthday.
So how do you know when it’s actually time to night train?
Let’s break it down—with less pressure and more perspective.
Nighttime dryness is a biological milestone, not a behavioral one
Unlike daytime potty training, which is a learned skill, night training depends on your child’s nervous system and bladder maturity. That includes:
Producing enough antidiuretic hormone at night (to slow urine production)
Waking up when the bladder is full (which is much harder in deep sleep)
Holding pee for long stretches (which takes physical and neural coordination)
You can’t teach or rush those things—and trying to can lead to frustration, disrupted sleep, and stress for everyone.
What to look for instead of age
Here are a few signs your child might be ready for night training:
They’re waking up dry at least 5 mornings a week
They consistently stay dry during naps
They’re asking to wear undies at night or expressing interest
They’re staying dry for long stretches during the day (2+ hours)
They’re not overly tired or dysregulated during the day (which can impact body awareness at night)
Remember, being 3 or 4 years old isn’t a sign of readiness on its own. Every child’s system develops at their own pace.
So when should you start night training?
There’s no one right answer, but here’s my general advice:
If they’re waking up mostly dry and you’re curious to try: go for it! Just do it gently.
If they’re soaking their pull-up every night, waking up upset, or still struggling with daytime pottying: it’s okay to wait.
The Bottom Line
Night training is a developmental milestone that will come—on your child’s own timeline.
You don’t need to night train just because someone else’s child is. And you’re not “behind” if your toddler still wears pull-ups to bed.
Trust your child’s body. Trust your gut. And know that nighttime dryness will come when they’re truly ready.
You’ve got this.
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P.S. If you’re working on daytime potty training and not sure when or how to move into nights, my potty training guide walks you through both—gently, clearly, and without adding pressure.
Grab it 👉 here